Meet our CEO & Senior Managers
At Harrogate Neighbours we are proud the excellent care and assistance provided by our fantastic team. All of our staff and volunteers are led and supported by our senior management team who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care possible.
Sue Cawthray – Chief Executive
I have worked within the elderly sector for nearly 30 years, including hands on support and care; business management, strategic planning, marketing and fund raising.
I continue to use my skills and commitment to the health and social care sector to make a difference to the people living in our local communities and beyond.
I joined Harrogate Neighbours as the CEO in 2005 and have led the organisation to where it is today – a respected and leading care provider within North Yorkshire and nationally. In 2021 we were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service for our Meals on Wheels Service – an amazing achievement.
My specialist areas are dementia, housing, nutrition and hydration. I sincerely believe that it is paramount that older people are provided with a service where they live well with dignity, respect and choice. I am passionate about support for and care of the elderly and their relatives.
I am a director of the Independent Care Group (ICG) and I am past National Chair of the National Association of Care Catering. I am a Member of the Institute of Hospitality and Business Networking group BNI Network Central and Harrogate Neighbours is their designated charity. In my spare time I volunteer as a trustee for a local Leeds-based charity that provides support services to the community. I also enjoy cake decorating, travelling and spending time with my family. My biggest career memory to date is having afternoon tea at Clarence House with Queen Camilla.
Denise McEvoy – Director of Care
I started working for Harrogate Neighbours in October 2017 as the Home Manager for Heath Lodge, which cares for 28 elderly Residents. Since then, I became the Chief Operating Officer in 2021, also responsible for managing Greenfield Court Care, providing support to those who live in both The Cuttings and our local community.
Despite having worked in Social Care for over 30 years, I had not previously worked for a charitable status organisation. Since joining I have been amazed to see how a charity can manage and overcome the challenges we face in Health and Social Care. Our diverse team feel valued and in turn, provide excellent care to all of our Clients, Tenants and Residents.
Outside of work, I have supported people with learning and physical disabilities for the past 15 years.
I am very family orientated and I would recommend anyone who shares these values to get in touch with Harrogate Neighbours, where you will feel right at home!
Jo Beaumont – Director of Service Development
I joined HNHA in December 2025 as Director of Service Development, having worked in charity leadership roles for over two decades, supporting people of all ages to have and exercise independence and choice. Joining a highly committed, experienced and professional team of colleagues, my remit at Harrogate Neighbours is to contribute to the organisation's strategic objective of supporting older people to live with dignity, choice and respect, through developing HNHA's existing services and exploring new ways of supporting people too.
A trial-and-error gardener, my lack of experience is balanced by lots of enthusiasm. I enjoy hiking, reading and family time as well as repurposing and upcycling furniture. I have volunteered in both strategic and operational roles over many years and currently volunteer as a trustee with a charity in West Yorkshire, supporting people to age well and as a community gardener, reclaiming a former park for use by families.
Akwasi Nuamah – Director of Finance
I joined Harrogate Neighbours in December 2025 as Director of Finance, IT and Compliance. In this role, I am committed to ensuring the organisation has robust financial systems, effective technology, and strong governance, enabling our teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred services to the people we support.
What drew me to Harrogate Neighbours is its values and unwavering commitment to helping older people live well, with dignity, respect, and choice. I am passionate about harnessing finance and technology not just to manage resources, but to strengthen services, empower colleagues, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
I believe that thoughtful, collaborative leadership can create an environment where staff feel supported, and people receiving care experience the highest standards.
Alongside my role at Harrogate Neighbours, I serve on the Board of West Midlands Urban Community Housing (WMUCH), contributing to governance, strategic oversight, and sector-wide learning.
This experience broadens my perspective and informs my approach to sustainable, impactful leadership.
I bring a mindful and reflective approach to my work. Outside the office, I practise mindful walking and intentionally step away from screens and distractions. Spending time in nature allows me to slow down, reflect, and challenge assumptions, which in turn helps me approach decisions with clarity, empathy, and foresight.
Anne Hardaker – Head of Finance
I started working for Harrogate Neighbours in June 2019. I am the Head of Finance for the organisation, with over 30 years of accounting and financial experience, and I oversee the Finance Department, to ensure that we get the best value for money for our clients, tenants and residents.
Outside of work, I enjoy nothing more than spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy the theatre, eating out and socialising. I love to travel and my passport is a very treasured possession.
Harrogate Neighbours is a fantastic organisation to work for and I thrive on being part of a team that really can enrich a person’s life on a daily basis.
Lynsey Robinson - Registered Care Manager
I have worked at Harrogate Neighbours since 2011 where I started as a part time Community Care Assistant and found out very quickly that I had a love for the job and the ethos within the organisation.
I have 16 years’ experience working in the care sector and have been encouraged, supported and trained as part of my personal developed to take up the roles as the Registered Care Manager for Greenfield Court Care in the summer of 2022.
I love being part of what Harrogate Neighbours stands for and how the organisation has grown and developed over the years, and the positive impact we make to so many people’s lives every day within the local community.
It really is a team effort and a second family.
Harley Huggon - Registered Care Manager
I started working for Harrogate Neighbours in 2016 and became the Registered Care Manager for Heath Lodge (now Heath Lodge Community Haven) in 2021. This was my first full-time job and I have fond memories of getting to know the residents for the first time and expanding my knowledge and skills. Harrogate Neighbours invested in my knowledge and gave me the tools to complete my Level 5 Qualification in Leadership & Management.
I’m passionate about providing care that promotes our residents' independence, whilst also ensuring their safety as they manage their various health conditions. I provide the training for all of our staff at Heath Lodge Community Haven, and this is a part of my role I enjoy.
When I’m not at work, I like to spend my time baking and spending time with animals. At home, I have a Tortoise called Delilah and a Cocker Spaniel called Samson. Whenever we have dogs visit Heath Lodge, I can usually be found close by!
Orsolya Foldi - Scheme Manager
I have worked within the care sector for the last 10 years in various roles including hands on support and care management. I moved to Yorkshire in 2022 and started at Harrogate Neighbours in September 2023 as the Scheme Coordinator for The Cuttings. Although I have worked with extra care schemes in the past, this is my first role in housing.
My main role is to provide and assist in the development and delivery of a high quality and robust housing, and customer service for tenants at The Cuttings, and to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable living environment.
When I am not at work I like spending time with my family - I have a daughter and a son both under 5. We love being outside, going for long walks and discovering new places.
Jamie Nicholson-Ruther - Communications and Development Manager
I started working for Harrogate Neighbours in February 2024 as the new Business Development Manager, a role I was eager to get my teeth into! I had previously worked in Social Housing and was aware of the issues many people face, and wanted to use my skills and knowledge to help where I could.
I'm incredibly proud to be able to help the business look forward into the future, find new partnerships and connect with more people in the local area. My role focussing on building the name of the company, the awareness within the community, and encouraging people to work with us to benefit our elderly and vulnerable people in the local area.
Outside of work, I have recently moved to the area and now live with my wife in Killinghall. I enjoy the theatre (both performing and watching) as well as painting, sculpting and gardening.
Sarah Crawford-Evans
I previously served as the Registered Manager for Greenfield Court Care at Harrogate Neighbours, before returning in the summer of 2024 to lead our new Training Department. This department was created to ensure compliance across the service and to develop an exciting training program for our local community and businesses.
With over 30 years of experience in elderly care and learning disability support, my mission is to transform our company values into everyday actions through engaging, high-impact learning. I am deeply passionate about fostering a culture where every team member feels empowered to provide exceptional care.
When I’m not developing new modules, I’m usually behind a microphone as a singer in a local band—bringing that same stage energy into the training room!
Vic Smith-Dunn
Stuart Thacker - Catering Manager